Advertisement
Hi all,
I arrived at the airport to board the plane for Bangkok, only to watch frantic check-in attendants fussing behind the desk, calling everyone they seemed to be able to call. They turned their back to me and ignored my luggage that had already been placed on the scale. After 20 minutes and watching my actual flight, through the glass windows, beginning to board, I finally got told that I did not have a seat on the plane. I argued briefly, but was told that my only hope was to talk to the Berlin Air Service desk. I hustled over with my luggage in tow, only to be told that I had been late, or clearly I would have been on the plane. After some insistent arguing and a bit of my redheaded frustration, the service desk man made a call to verify my story and then rushed over to find out that the check-in desk had made an error and boarded someone they shouldn't have. By this time, the last people were boarding my flight, and whoever was in charge was not willing to go de-board the person they had boarded in error, because the land crew said
it would take too long and delay the flight too much to remove that person's baggage... so, I was told my only option was a flight to Helsinky that was closing in 10 minutes. I desperately tried to call the camp owner, picking me up in Bankgkok, but the number was not working and I was not going to be able to make the flight, so I crossed my fingers and took the ticket to Helsinky, with a "stand-by" ticket to Bangkok when I got there... my luck turned in Helsinky and they bumped me up to first class. I extended the seat to a complete bed and tried to forget the stress of getting there. Not long after I awoke, we were landing in Bangkok, late, but before I could really start to worry about getting in contact with the owner of the camp, I found myself forced out of customs and staring directly at a SIM card shop, I grabbed a thai SIM card and called Rob (the owner of the camp), who happened to be waiting at another gate.
The ride to the camp reminded me that we were outside of Bangkok. A full hour's drive
and no street names in the last few blocks, I found myself in a farming community and down a road marked by a palm tree (among hundreds, that I can only guess becomes memorable over time). Training was just ending, so I found my room and started to get settled. A lovely bed, screened windows, shelves and a fan - just what I needed. I unpacked, showered off the painful humidity, only to realize that painful humidity means that the second you step out of the shower you are sweating again.... and made my way to the kitchen for dinner. I was introduced to some incredible cooking, that I soon realized would be a consistent and pleasant part of life here... the only catch... eating with 7-9 other training men.... and one bowl of each dish on the table to share - welcome to indigestion.
Shortly after five the next morning, I was up for the morning run, followed by training. It was intense, sweatier than I remembered, and fantastic. I followed it up with a quick shower and nap so that I could do it all over again before dinner. Two days of this and I was feeling
sore, but confident. With all my early nights and napping, I even felt that I had enough energy to go find the "town", just for a thai massage :-) It was the perfect idea for the evening since the next day was our weekly day off. I slept in, filled up on a spectacular breakfast and made my way into the town for some exploring. I was excited to be trying out the route on my own, as it does seem that the town is 6kms away... maybe not quite that, but I wouldn't be surprised... and I have to say, it's not an easy route - and not much more than a few stores/stalls and a market. It reminded me that I really in the-middle-of-nowhere, Bangkok (yep, they didn't even give me a key the first few days... no need to lock your doors here!).
However, having been here only 3 days, I was delighted to be welcomed with giggles and cooing as the massage ladies discovered my bruises and realized that I was a western, female thai-boxer... they let me have the normal price (thai-price) and kept asking questions I could not understand and telling me to
come back. On the way home I passed by the local store by the train tracks, and he called out "MUAY THAI" to get me to smile and wave, then I was off down the gravel, no-name farm road to find my palm tree indicator and it started to rain. Now, it is rainy season in Thailand now, and rain can mean the skies open up, but I was close to home and it was a simple drizzle. I was quite relieved that it was now a mix of rain and sweat steadily soaking my clothes, and not just the sweat, but I was not able to enjoy the rain for long, as the neighbours (read 5 minute walk from home) saw me coming and insisted on giving me an umbrella (having their little girl run out in the rain and force it on me with many thai pleasantries I simply couldn't respond to) so, finally I took it, and went back to another incredible home-cooked meal and my coconut from the market....
I have to say between the training, cooking, and the people - despite being in the middle of nowhere, I am perfectly happy and loving the
vacation I chose!
More to come,
Trish xx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.257s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 61; dbt: 0.1154s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2;
; mem: 1.2mb